So maybe July in Texas isn’t the best time to start running again.But I have never been confined by logic,So lately, My Nikes which have been on hiatus for a while are getting a workout.Just last week they still looked shiny and new even though I’ve had them for months.

I used to run.I’m not really sure how that started either.One Spring break I was broke, most of my friends were either out of town or weren’t lucky enough to get Spring Break and my husband was on the road for business.So I decided that I was going to run a marathon that week.Not like in an actual race. Just that in the next 7 days I was going to run 26.2 miles.And I did.Which was kind of dumb idea for a beginner.

The first day I ran 3.75 miles. And my legs felt like jelly.The next day I ran another 3.75 miles and prided myself on how not too miserably sore I was.And on the third day, I wasn’t sure I could even get out of bed.But I ran my 3.75 miles anyways.I finished my 26.2 miles that week and kept running.I felt happier than normal (and I’m usually pretty happy).My thighs stopped rubbing together and even though I was pounding the pavement for long stretches of time everyday I had more energy.In other words, all that crap they say about exercise is apparently true.And a few months later I ran a half marathon.My time was nothing to be proud of, but I finished without walking or stopping and I felt like super woman.But then I decided I deserved a break.And it hasn’t ever been the same since.

Not running only made me not want to run more.Even though I missed being skinny and happy and not always so tired.

Unlike my mountain biking phase, and my scrapbooking phase, and my guitar playing phase,This is a phase that I continually come back to every few months.Occasionally I sign up for a race and train for a bit,Or run consistently for a stretch.But I am usually disheartened.I remember when I could run for hours and curse myself for sucking wind after 5 minutes.

It is easy to quit.It is easy to say that I will run tomorrow instead.

But for some reason, maybe boredom again.I laced up my shoes last week.I set the bar low. I told myself I’d just go for a short jog. 1 mile. Maybe less. I consoled myself with the fact that anything would be better than nothing.I couldn’t find my ipod, which I thought meant it would be a really short run.And before I even got off the driveway it started misting.

But I ran anyways.Even when the rain started coming down pretty hard.And I ran 2 miles instead of just 1.

And it felt so good, that a few hours later I ran again.That night I puked. ( maybe that had something to do with the second martini……but I also blame the shock to my body)I ran the next day too.

I am not signed up for any kind of race (at least not til September).I am not on any crazy diet (although I probably should be).I am just running because I am tired of being tired.And the refreshing ache in my thighs and calves feels like a welcome old friend.

And today.It was so hot, so I told myself…just a short jog.Just 1 mile. Just 10 minutes.And again I ran 2.

At some point. I turned off my ipod.And just listened.Lately, my thoughts have been so noisy.And suddenly all I could hear was my shoes hitting the pavement.My lungs struggling to breathe and my heart working just a little too hard.Somehow I had managed to run faster than all the noise.And I jogged home in my sweaty silence.

3
comments:

Great to hear about the running. I start training for the White Rock Marathon here in a couple of months and I'm scared out of my mind! But I totally get the feeling of peace and quiet where the only sound you hear is your footsteps. Beautiful!

other distractions....the good kind

About Me

just a girl trying to pursue this writing thing a little more seriously. i like to ramble. I usually, but not always make a point. and I'm not one to proofread or spell things correctly. i am a human buffet. i have a varied spread of talents ( teaching, crafting, running, soccer, writing, cooking) etc. but none of them are very good. so enjoy the variety and try not to look too close.